Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
285. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if arrangements can be put in place to allow Irish students living abroad as part of their course of study in an Irish university, including students on Erasmus programmes, to vote in Irish elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10824/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish students enrolled in an Irish course, but temporarily on a placement overseas, can be considered for inclusion in the postal vote or otherwise accommodated to participate in elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 307 together.
Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including for full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State. Under section 63 of the of the Electoral Act 1997, students pursuing a course of study on a full-time basis at an educational institution in the State who are registered at, and living away from, the family residence for study purposes and cannot attend at their designated polling station on polling day are eligible to apply for entry onto the postal voters' list.
Additionally, students who live away from home while attending college have the choice of being registered at their parents' address or their student residential address within the State.
Section 11(3) of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that a person shall be deemed not to have given up ordinary residence if he intends to resume residence within eighteen months after giving it up.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a commitment to mandate the Electoral Commission, known as An Coimisiún Toghcháin, to examine the use of postal voting, with a view to expanding its provision. An Coimisiún Toghcháin, which was established on 9 February 2023, will be requested to carry out research in respect of this matter in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Any reform of electoral law concerning postal voting generally will have regard to the outcome of this work.
